The Shiba Inu is believed to be the most ancient of the Japanese Breeds.

History

Native Japanese dogs are divided into six breeds. Of these, the smallest and probably most ancient is the Shiba Inu (柴犬).
In fact, one theory about the name Shiba is that it simply denotes small; however, it may also mean brushwood in reference
to the brilliant red brushwood trees that so closely matched the breed’s red coat and through which they hunted. These
theories have resulted in the Shiba ’s being nicknamed the “little brushwood dog. ”

The origin of the Shiba is unclear; but it is clearly of spitz heritage and may have been used as early as 300 B.C. as
a hunting dog in central Japan. Although they were used mostly to flush birds and small game, they were occasionally used
to hunt wild boar. Three main types existed and each was named for its area of origin: the Shinshu shiba (“from the
Nagano Prefecture”), the Mino shiba (“from the Gifu Prefecture”), and the Sanin shiba (“from the northeast
mainland”).

After World War II, the breed was nearly lost, and it was further decimated by distemper in 1952. In an attempt to save
the Shiba Inu, the different types were interbred, crossing the heavier-boned dogs from mountainous regions with the lighter-boned
dogs from other regions. As a result, the Shiba survived as one breed, with some variation in bone substance.

The first Shiba came to America in 1954 and was officially recognized by the AKC in 1993. Since then, Shibas have achieved
a staunch following, and their popularity continues to grow. Recent DNA analysis has confirmed that the Shiba Inu is one of
the oldest dog breeds.

Temperment

Bold, independent and headstrong, the Shiba is brimming with self-confidence.
It is lively outdoors, yet calm indoors, as long as it gets daily exercise. It may be aggressive with strange dogs of the
same sex and may chase small animals. It is a hardy breed, ready for adventure. Some tend to be headstrong and domineering.
It is territorial, alert and reserved with strangers — ingredients making for an excellent watchdog. It is quite vocal;
some bark a lot.

Upkeep

The Shiba needs a daily workout, either in the form of a vigorous game in the yard, a long walk or a good
run in a safe area. It can live outdoors in temperate or cool climates, given warm shelter, but it does best when allowed
to divide its time between inside and out. Its double coat needs brushing one or two times weekly, more when shedding, which
it does twice a year.

Form and Function

The Shiba Inu is moderately compact, being slightly longer than it is tall. It has typical traits of dogs
from Northern heritage: small erect ears, thick fur, powerful body and curled tail. Its expression is bold, spirited and good-natured.
The gait is light, quick and agile, with an effortless, smooth stride. The double coat consists of a strong straight outer
coat with a soft undercoat, imparting great insulation. These traits enabled the Shiba to hunt small game through dense cover.